First day of Fall

With that first day of Fall, let’s remember some changes in temperature can occur and be extremely sensitive or suddenly severe especially in some areas such as the Mid-West and/or when your wines are shipped from far away sailing with a long transit time making difficult the anticipation of temperature upon arrival.

Please note that the coverage of "alteration of temperature" with a container equipped with thermal blanket is suspended during the period from November 1 (date of arrival) through March 31rst for any shipment going to the Mid-West Area – Great Lakes area or any “remote” inland destinations.

So it is recommended to use reefer containers to prevent and protect your wines with that upmost solution.

U.S. TRUCK DRIVER SHORTAGE

Last March, the American Trucking Associations released its latest Driver Compensation Study showing driver pay has climbed as rising demand for freight transportation services has increased competition for increasingly scarce drivers.The median salary for a truckload driver working a national, irregular route was over 53 K$ (+7K$ +15% since the last survey on 2013). A private fleet driver saw their pay rise to more than 86 K$ (+13K$ +18%).

In addition to rising pay, fleets were offering generous bonuses and benefit packages like paid leave, health insurance and 401(k)s to keep them to attract and keep drivers.However, the shortage is still there and could be even higher than a year before. Last year, it was reported a shortage of 51,000 long-haul drivers and it could jump to 63,000 this year.The US industry needs to add almost 1 million new drivers by 2024 to keep up with demand.For the time being, trucking is unable to compete against other professions to attract younger talents and driving is the country’s deadliest occupation according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some options :

Currently the law requires to be at least 21 to drive a large truck across state lines. A Department of Transportation pilot program will allow some drivers as young as 18 (but there is another safety concern : younger drivers have higher crash rates).

US dockers and employers reach tentative contract agreement

Subject to the final approval from the members of the ILA (International Longshoremen’s Association) a six years agreement (through 2024) have just been reached with USMX (United States Maritime Alliance) for the US East and Gulf coast ports.